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• Clams are a popular seafood. They are related to mussels. They have a firm texture. Their meat can be sweet or slightly salty.

• Fast Facts

  1. Bivalve mollusks
  2. Related to mussels
  3. Clams and mussels: Second largest group of mollusks
  4. Popular species: Surf clam, Quahog, Hard clam
  5. Surf clams: Usually five to seven years old
  6. Quahogs: Usually 40 to 100 years old
  7. World's oldest living animal: 405 year old quahog
  8. Key ingredient in Clam Chowder
  9. Often eaten steamed or fried

• Clam Sizes

  1. Pasta: 3/4 inch hinge
  2. Littleneck: 1 inch hinge
  3. Middleneck: 1.25 inch hinge
  4. Topneck: 1.5 inch hinge
  5. Cherrystone: 2 inch hinge

• Clam Nutrition

  4 ounces of raw clams provide the following:

  1. 50 calories
  2. 1 gram fat
  3. 10 grams protein
  4. 3 grams carbohydrates
  5. 45 mg cholesterol
  6. 65 mg sodium
  7. .15 grams Omega-3 Fatty Acid

• Buying Live Clams

  1. Six whole clams per person
  2. Should close tightly when tapped
  3. Should have no cracks
  4. Should smell like ocean
  5. Keep cold during transport
  6. Store in refrigerator at 41 degrees
  7. Can be stored up to 7 days
  8. Do not ice
  9. Do not immerse in water
  10. Do not suddenly change temperature
  11. Discard clams that do not close
  12. Wash under cold running water before cooking

• Buying Shucked Clams

  1. 1/2 pint per person
  2. Keep cold during transport
  3. Store on ice
  4. Can be stored up to seven days

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Mussels | Lobster | Crab | Scallops | Clam Chowder | Oysters | Clam Dip | Starfish | Golden Cowrie | Sea Cucumber | Seashells

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